Stepladders
Before use
Before you use a stepladder, first ask yourself: am I fit to work at height? Then think about the condition and the position of the ladder.
A stepladder in good condition has:
Feet firmly attached
Clean treads
Secure locking devices
Secure fastenings when it is extended
A stepladder in a good position:
Is fully open
Is locked into place
Will not move at the bottom. See good practice in pictures
Stands on a surface that is:
firm
level (see the diagrams below for safe limits on slopes)
clear
dry
not slippery
In use
Only work on a stepladder for a maximum of 15 - 30 minutes at a time
Only carry light materials and tools (up to 10 kg)
Do not overreach - make sure your belt buckle (navel) stays within the stiles
Keep both feet on the same rung or step throughout the task
Make sure you have a safe handhold available on the steps
Avoid side-on working, see good practice in pictures
Is a ladder right for the job?
If you are not sure that it is right to use a ladder speak to your supervisor or the safety representative.
Employers and self employed people contact HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055
Further reading
INDG402 - Safe use of ladders and stepladders
This guidance helps employers, the self-employed and people who work from ladders:
know when to use a ladder
decide how select the right sort of ladder for the job;
understand how to use it
know how to look after it
take sensible safety precautions.
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So are you saying it isn;t classed as a step ladder and that none of this guidance is relevant to scaff step. Ian there were some major concerns raised in Birmingham in October with the HSE surely these should have been recognised by yourselves as co authors of SG4:10.
---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Would you like to enlighten us on the HSE information first please. We are hoping to have Justine at the seminar and i'm sure she could answer any questions on stepladders. We will discuss the scaffstep a totally different product than a stepladder.
Ian
Well at least theres going to be someone there to offer clarification although you would have hoped it would have been the authors